Officials of Seattle's first bicycle sharing program on Monday said the service will launch in September and be called Pronto Emerald City Cycle Share.

Officials also said that Alaska Airlines will be a major sponsor of the program. The company is contributing $2.5 million over five years to the program.

The program will be managed and operated by Portland-based Alta Bicycle Share, the company that currently runs New York City's Citi Bike system.

Alaska's sponsorship "put bike share across the finish line and guaranteed that we will put 500 bikes on the street in September,â€ Pronto Emerald City Cycle Share Executive Director Holly Houser said in a press release. She made the announcements with Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden and Mayor Ed Murray.

The Pronto name is a misnomer given how long it has taken to get bike-sharing rolling in Seattle. For several years, bike-share supporters have been pulling together the pieces of the program, including funding, local partnerships, hardware and the technology.

"Alaska Airlines is proud to help people get out of their cars and enjoy what our great city has to offer in a more personal and healthy way," Tilden said.

Industries:

Comments

If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.

Inside Portland Business Journal

Our Sponsors

SBO Dispatch

Get your FREE SBO Dispatch email news alert. Stay on top of local sustainable business news with these stories and blogs from Sustainable Business Oregon.